Remote Sensing and GIS Group, Technical Service Center, US Bureau of Reclamation, Mail Code D-8260, POB 25007, Denver CO 802251999Wind Cave National Park Vegetation Mapping Project - Spatial Vegetation DataMapUSGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping ProgramNoneDenver, COUSGS-BRDCreated under contract to the USGS-BRD-CBIhttp://www1.usgs.gov/vip/wica/wica.ziphttp://www.usbr.gov/pmts/rsgis/doi:10.5066/F7QC01GMThis geospatial database covers vegetation land cover and land use for Wind Cave National Park and surrounding areas and is authorized as part of the USGS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program http://www.usgs.gov/core_science_systems/csas/vip/index.html. The program is administered by the Biological Resources Division (BRD) of the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This mapping effort was performed by the US Bureau of Reclamation's (USBR) Remote Sensing and GIS Group, Technical Service Center, Denver, CO. The vegetation mapping program is part of a larger Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program started by the National Park Service (NPS) http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/. I&M goals are, among others, to map the vegetation of all national parks and monuments and provide a baseline inventory of vegetation. The USGS/BRD is responsible for overall management and oversight of all ongoing mapping efforts. The mapped vegetation reflects conditions that existed during the specific year and season that the aerial photographs were taken. There is a margin of error inherent in the use of aerial photographs. Therefore, a detailed ground and historical analysis of a single site may result in a revision of the vegetation alliance boundaries established through photographic interpretation.The purposes of the mapping effort are varied and include the following: Provides support for NPS Resources Management; Promotes vegetation-related research for both NPS and USGS/BRD; Provides support for NPS Planning and Compliance; Adds to the information base for NPS Interpretation; and Assists in NPS Operations.The following vegetation and land use classes were mapped for this project: LAND USE: 51 Transportation Communications, and Utilities; 52 Mixed Urban or Built-up Land; 53 Croplands and Pasture; 55 Other Agricultural Land; 57 Open Water; 59 Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits. VEGETATION: 1 Purple three-awn - Fetid marigold Herbaceous Vegetation; 2 Ponderosa pine Limestone Rock Outcrop; 3 Red Beds Spares Vegetation; 4 Black Hills Rock Outcrop Sparse Vegetation; 6 Bison Wallows; 11 Little Bluestem -Sideouts grama Herbaceous Alliance (with burned ponderosa pine; 12 Chokechery Shrubland with burned ponderosa pine; 13 Western Wheatgrass - Kentucky Complex with burned ponderosa pine; 14 Emergent Wetland Herbaceous Vegetation 15 Little Bluestem - Grama Grass Herbaceous Vegetation; 16 Western Wheatgrass - Kentucky Bluegrass Complex; 17 Introduced Weedy Graminoid Herbaceous Vegetation ; 18 Needle-and-thread - Blue Grama-Threadlead Sedge Herbaceous Vegetation; 30 Mt Mahogany / Sideoats Grama Shrubland I; 31 Mt Mahogany / Sideoats Grama Shrubland II; 32 Lead Plant Shrubland; 33 Chokecherry Shrubland; 34 Bebb Willow Shrubland; 35 Western Snowberry Shrubland; 40 Plains Cottonwood / Western snowberry Woodland; 41 Boxelder / Chokecherry Forest; 42 Bur Oak Stand; 43 Green Ash - American Elm / Chokecherry Forest; 44 Birch - Aspen Stand; 45 Ponderosa Pine Woodland Complex I; 46 Ponderoas Pine / Little Bluestem Woodland; 47 Ponderosa Pine / Chokecherry Forest; 48 Ponderosa Pine Woodland Complex II; 49 Young Ponderosa Pine Dense Cover Complex.199706Source Photography DateCompleteNone PlannedWind Cave National Park, SD including approx 5 mile buffer around park which includes private lands and portions of Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest.-103.628415-103.31814243.65534043.496729Noneassociationallianceland coverland usevegetationNational Park ServiceNoneWind CavePringleSouth DakotaNational ParkWind Cave National ParkNonePlantsvegetationNational Vegetation Classification SystemU.S. Government; Federal Geographic Data Committee19971022National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS)documentWashington D.C.Federal Geographic Data Committeehttp://www.fgdc.gov/standards/projects/FGDC-standards-projects/vegetation/index_htmlSequence of field test data and observation plots, and CIR photo signature field observations.Refer to complete listing of mapped plant alliances/associations under Supplemental Information above.KingdomPlantaeNoneAny person using the information presented here should fully understand the data collection and compilation procedures, as described in the metadata, before beginning analysis. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. For purposes of publication or dissemination, citations or credit should be given to the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Park Service, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.USGS BRD Center for Biological InformaticsUSGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinatormailing and physical addressDenver Federal Center, Building 810, MS 302DenverColorado80225(303) 202-4220303-202-4219gs-b-npsveg@usgs.govhttp://www1.usgs.gov/vip/wica/wicavegmap.pdfGraphic file showing vegetation distribution of Wind Cave NP and environs, by ecological
subgroups. Low resolution for web browser.PDFJay Carlson, Dan Cogan, Doug Crawford, Trudy Myer, and Jim Von Loh of USBRUNIX-ARC/INFOThese data have an overall accuracy of 73 % (69.8% Kappa index) within a 90% confidence interval of 77.6% upper limit and 68.4% lower limit.All polygon features are checked for topology and existance of label points using the ARC/INFO software. Each polygon begins and ends at the same point with the node feature. All nodes are checked for error so that there are no unintentional dangling features . There are no duplicate lines or polygons. All nodes will snap together and close polygons based on a specified tolerance. If the node is not within the tolerance it is adjusted manually. The tests for logical consistency are performed in ARC/INFO using certain commands.All data that can be photo-interpreted is digitized in accordance with the minimun mapping unit of .5 hectares. This includes features that fall into the NVCS vegetation (landcover) classification and the Anderson Level II land use classification. Minimum mapping unit is .5 hectares but some classes below the MMU are included such as wetlands; prominent stands of vegetation; and polygons cut off by other features and boarders. Roads (out to visible disturbed ground right-of-way or fence line) wider than approx 10 meters were digitized as polygons and attributed accordingly. Roads visible on the DOQQ's but thinner than 10 meters were digitized as lines. Wet drainages were digitized as lines and attributed with code #14. Dry drainages thinner than 10 meters were not digitized.USGS DOQQ's were used as basemap to acquire geospatial horizontal
locations.Field and Remote SensingNonephoto-interpretationField Methods for Vegetation Mappingground truthreconnaissancegradsectobservationplotphoto signaturesground verificationstereoscopeAll vegetation and land use classes were interpreted and mapped from 1:12,000 scale, color infrared photography flown in June 1997. Color prints were developed from the CIR negatives and have an approximate 20% overlap east-to-west and 60% north-to-south. Data from the photos was interpreted on mlyar overlays. Vegetation was delineated and classified on the mylars using a combination of field and remote sensing techniques. Field techniques followed the standards described in Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping (The Nature Conservancy, 1994). These included preliminary reconnaissance, environmental stratification of the study area using a gradsect approach (Austin and Heyligers, 1989), and observation point and detailed plot data collection. Multiple plot and observation data were collected for each unique vegetation association found within the study area. Biological, environmental, locational, and biological interactions/historical/disturbance data were collected at each sample point using the standard plot survey or observation point form developed by The Nature Conservancy (1994). Remote sensing techniques included ground verification of unique photo signatures, stereoscopic magnification, and photo interpretation of the vegetation and land-use practices using standard photo interpretation characteristics such as tone, texture, color, pattern, topographic position, and shadow. Soil maps were also used to aid in proper interpretation. Photographs were examined using a stereoscope as needed and light tables. A detailed photo-interpretation key is provided in the USBR Technical Memorandum cited elsewhere in this document.Austin, M.P. and P.C. Heyligers1989Vegetation survey design for conservation: Gradsect sampling of forests in northeastern New South WalesBiological Conservation, Vol 50documentpp 13-32FieldSee aboveThe Nature Conservancy1994Field Methods for Vegetation MappingNPS Vegetation Mapping Program, Final Draftdocumenthttp://www1.usgs.gov/vip/standards/fieldmethodsrpt.pdfHorizons, Inc., POB 3134, Rapid City, SD 57709Voice: 605-343-0280; Fax: 605-343-0305EMail: eng@horizonsinc.com199706Aerial CIR Photosimagehttp://www.horizonsisg.com/http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/wica/wicaphotos.pdf12000Color Prints199706Ground ConditionNoneThese aerial photographs were the basis for the photointerpretation
process.USGS1997Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quadrangles (DOQQ)Remote-Sensing ImageBoland Ridge, Butcher Hill, Cicero Peak, Mt Cooldige, Pringle, & Wind CaveUSGS 7.5m quads in South DakotaRefer to USGS web site for metadata informationhttp://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/12000Digital1995Ground ConditionNoneThe DOQQ's were used as basemap for transfer work.USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics19990430Vegetation Procedure ReportreportBoland Ridge, Butcher Hill, Cicero Peak, Mt Cooldige, Pringle, & Wind CaveUSGS 7.5m quads in South DakotaRefer to USGS web site for metadata informationhttp://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/wica/wicarpt.pdf12000Digital1995Ground ConditionNoneThe DOQQ's were used as basemap for transfer work.Vegetation information on the mylars (discussed above under methods) were transfered into the GIS database using two methods, either heads-up digitizing or scanning. METHOD I: Heads-up digitizing will be used in areas where there are strong visible transitions between vegetation types (i.e., have boundaries that are easy to see on the digital ortho image). Briefly, heads-up digitizing is a procedure whereby the operator digitizes by hand and eye on a computer terminal screen showing a digital image of an ortho-rectified photo. By looking at similar features on both the aerial photograph (from which the classification was made on mylar) and on the orthophoto, the line drawn on the aerial photo overlay is transferred to the digital image, which is registered to coordinates on the earth. This technique should produce good results except where there is little feature contrast on the ortho, in which case the operator will usually scan the photo to transfer those features. METHOD II: Photos that are too difficult to accurately transfer via heads-up will be scanned, ie, the mylars will be scanned, not the actual CIR photo. Before the mylar is scanned, it will be marked with control points that correspond to visible points on the DOQQ. Six control points should be located for best results though a minimum of 4 are required for a projective transform. The GIS software was used to convert the scanned mylar into a geo-referenced coverage which was then attributed and combined with the larger vegetation coverage associated with the quarter quad area. The entire transfer and editing sequence was automated via an in-house ARC/INFO AML. The final vegetation coverages consist of (1) Quarter-quad boarder, (2) Park and GIS project area boundary arcs, if applicable, and (3) vegetation polygons and linear features. Another step involved heads-up digitizing of roads visible on the CIR/DOQQ in accordance with the criteria discussed under the Completness Report above.1998Remote Sensing and GIS Group, Technical Service
Center, US Bureau of ReclamationMailing AddressPOB 25007DenverCO80225USA303-446-2283303-445-6337jvonloh@do.usbr.gov7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday Thru Friday, MSTData plot and obseravtion coverages: Coverages for the plot and observation data points were created from the plot and observation data sheets. The coordinates on the data sheets were in datum NAD27. Once the coverages were finalized they were reprojected into datum NAD83.1998VectorG-polygon19500Universal Transverse Mercator130.999600-105.0000000.000000500000.0000000.000000coordinate pair11metersNorth American Datum of 1983Geodedic Reference System 806378137.000000298.257222wicavegShapefile attribute tableBORFIDInternal feature number.ESRISequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.ShapeFeature geometry.ESRICoordinates defining the features.AREAArea of feature in internal units squared.ESRIPositive real numbers that are automatically generated.PERIMETERPerimeter of feature in internal units.ESRIPositive real numbers that are automatically generated.VEG_Internal feature number.ESRI.Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.VEG_IDUser-defined feature number.ESRI.Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.PHOTOPhoto numberBORGround photos relating to plot points.LOCATIONLocation type reference to WICA units.BORLocation type providing general location in and around WICA.VEG_CODEVegetation Map Class CodeBORNumerical vegetation map code.VEGETATION COVERAGES: Due to the large size of the database, vegetation coverages were named according to associated USGS 7.5m quads and the quarterquad quadrant as follows: <quadname>_veg# with # refering to the quarter quadrant as follows: 1 - Northwest quadrant; 2 - Northeast quadrant; 3 - Southeast quadrant; 4 - Southwest quadrant. Coding Information: Polygon coverage with labels in each polygon with the following custom items: (veg_code - 3 3 I) coded with vegetation classification number. See Supplemental Info under Id Info above for complete listing of attribute codes and their descriptions; (photo - 6 6 I) coded with associated CIR photo number; (location - 6 6 C) coded according to whether the polygon is in the park or buffer area. Also, each arc was coded as follows: (digtype - 2 2 I) coded to identify how the arc was transferred into the database or type of arc as follows: 1 = heads-up, on screen digitizing; 2 = scanned mylar; 3 = arc associated with gis study area border; 4 = arc associated with quarterquad border; 5 = arc associated with park border. (veg_code - 3 3 I) linear wetland features coded with vegetation classification number. BOUNDARY COVERAGES: bndrypark - Park boundary coverage. This coverage was digitized from USGS 7.5m quads. bndryproj - GIS mapping project area. This coverage was derived from markings on a 1:100k map provided to us by the USGS/BRD. bndryquad - Boundaries of all the 7.5m quads. This coverage was created via an in-house AML that creates tics based on lower left and upper right coordinates for the desired area. The program created tics every 7.5 minutes and then arcs were snapped to the tics to create the quad borders. Coding Information: bndrypark - line coverage - no custom attributing. bndryproj - line coverage - no custom attributing. bndryquad - polygon coverage with labels in each quad polygon with the following items: (quadname - 8 8 c) - abbreviated name for each quad; (fullname - 20 20 c) - full quadname. DATA COVERAGES: dataobsv - Point coverage of observation data points. dataplot - Point coverage of plot data points. Coding Information: Label points with items as follows: (plot_code - 3 3 n) coded with plot number from plot data sheets; (veg_code - 14 14 c) coded with veg class text; (type - 10 10 c) coded with broad vegetation class (eg: woodland). Note1: x-coord and y-coord added with ARC/INFO "addxy" command. Note2: Field data points were collected with GPS units set to datum NAD27. All coverages were re-projected into Datum NAD83 so the x- y- coordinates will not match those shown on the data sheets. OTHER COVERAGES: sec_roads - Line coverage of secondary roads digitized from USGS DOQQ. The parks projects will be using DOQQ's as the basemap for transfer of information from the CIR photos to the GIS database. The DOQQ's are standard USGS product and are in datum of NAD83.Wind Cave National Park, USGS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, Technical Memorandum No. 8260-99-03, USBRUSGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and SynthesisUSGS-NPS Vegetation Characterization Program Coordinatormailing and physical addressDenver Federal Center, Building 810, MS 302DenverColorado80225(303) 202-4220303-202-4219gs-b-npsveg@usgs.govDownloadable Data. Wind Cave National Park Vegetation MapThe U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. These data and related graphics (if available) are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such.
The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The data are not better than the original sources from which they were derived. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately and consistent within the limitations of geospatial data in general and these data in particular. Any related graphics (if available) are intended to aid the data user in acquiring relevant data; it is not approriate to use the related graphics as data.
The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly acquired from an U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service servers and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the utility of the data on another system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this metadata report does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U. S. Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey and National Park Service.HTMLhttp://www.usgs.gov/core_science_systems/csas/vip/parks/wica.htmlInternet AccessNone2001202220100621USGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and SynthesisUSGS-NPS Vegetation Characterization Program Coordinatormailing and physical addressDenver Federal Center, Building 810, MS 302DenverColorado80225(303) 202-4220303-202-4219gs-b-npsveg@usgs.govFGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial MetadataFGDC-STD-001.1-1999http://www.usgs.gov/core_science_systems/csas/metadata/index.html